Latos' rookie season ends on a downer

The Dodgers' Russell Martin slides safely home under the tag of Padres catcher Nick Hundley in the second inning. Martin scored on a play on which Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera was charged with both a fielding and throwing error.
— Associated Press

The Dodgers' Russell Martin slides safely home under the tag of Padres catcher Nick Hundley in the second inning. Martin scored on a play on which Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera was charged with both a fielding and throwing error.
/ Associated Press

The 21-year-old right-hander didn't go out on a high note in his first appearance at Dodger Stadium.

Although it wasn't all his fault, Latos struggled over his final three innings, as the patient Dodgers worked him for five walks (one intentional) while scoring four runs (two earned) on three hits.

Latos also had two balks and threw 80 pitches, with only 56 percent going for strikes in a game the Padres lost 7-4.

After being the first rookie pitcher in Padres history to win four of his first five starts, Latos finished the season 4-5 with a 4.62 record.

His ERA for his first five starts was 2.43.

His ERA for his last five starts was 7.71.

Latos averaged six innings an outing and 15 pitches an inning in his first five starts. He averaged just over four innings an outing and 20¼ pitches an inning over his last five starts.

It was never intended for Latos to pitch to the end of the season.

After throwing just 56 innings in each of his first two professional seasons, Latos threw a total of 123 innings this season – advancing from extended spring training to low Single-A Fort Wayne (3-0, 0.36 ERA) to Double-A San Antonio (5-1, 1.91 ERA) to the Padres.

Along the way, he pitched in the Futures All-Star Game.

“This is not how I wanted to go out,” said Latos. “I'm surprised they kept me throwing this long, I'm grateful. Now is the start of my preparation for next year.”

Padres manager Bud Black said Latos would continue to work with pitching coach Darren Balsley on his delivery in bullpen sessions between now and the end of the season.

“Over his last handful of starts, Mat's overall command is not where it was,” said Black. “Tonight, it looked like he couldn't get comfortable. He was taking longer between pitches.”

“It's been quite a season,” Latos said recently. “There have been highs and lows.”

Black said Latos has come a long way since his March spring training cameo with the Padres.

“In spring training, we saw the typical mistakes a rookie pitcher will make in his first chance. They throw, not pitch. He overthrew his fastball and showed some frustration and emotions.

“Now we see him using all his pitches. He's made strides.”

Latos, whose 50 2/3 innings with the Padres means he won't qualify as a rookie in next season's Rookie of the Year voting, will remain with the Padres to the end of the season and possibly throw some in the bullpen. He will accompany the team on the road.

“We want him to continue being around the environment,” said Black. “There are still ballparks he's hasn't seen, like San Francisco and Arizona. The more he is here, the more comfortable he will be.”

Certainly, Latos' velocity was in midseason form last night. He registered 97 with his fastball on the Dodger Stadium radar gun.